French ace Knockaert has been making defenders look silly with his quick feet but fears they will be back for retribution.

The former Leicester star has likened his fears to Barcelona’s Brazilian superstar Neymar, who receives close attention from referees that to the punishment that gets dished out by opposition defenders.

Knockaert, who faces Preston today, said: “I think referees have to be clever and see when there is a technical player like me that they have to protect players like this.

“I was watching Barcelona and you see Neymar. All the time they kick him and stuff but the refs are really close to him.

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“You never know, a player can be crazy and give you a bad tackle”

Anthony Knockaert

“That can be important for a player with my kind of game. You never know, a player can be crazy and give you a bad tackle.”

The Seagulls will be without midfield star Beram Kayal, who has had surgery on his ankle, which will rule him out for at least nine games.

But boss Chris Hughton thinks his Israeli star will be able to mentally cope with the set back – after only missing four games in the last 55 matches.

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SUPERSTAR: Anthony Knockaert has compared himself to Neymar

Hughton said: “I think he’s okay at this moment. There are some injuries which can be a little bit complicated. This injury is very straightforward.

“He will make a full recovery from it. That being the case he is happier with that situation but, of course, nobody wants to be out injured and not for a period of time.

“He will be disappointed but the fact that it is very straightforward lessens the blow.”